The spate of deadly knife crimes that has afflicted the capital in 2008 is a pointer to some of the issues that face social campaigners and reformers. Poverty, health, homelessness and racial tensions abound in a city awash with money. These are the people who are trying to do something about it.

Shami Chakrabarti, 39 LIBERTY, DIRECTOROften described as Britain's most powerful Asian woman, Chakrabarti provokes strong reactions. After leaving the Home Office in 2001, she joined one of its harshest critics, civil rights group Liberty, and became its director in 2003. She has strongly opposed moves to increase detention periods for terror suspects and the introduction of ID cards. Known for her trouser-suits and kohl-rimmed eyes, Chakrabarti is a ubiquitous media presence. See also Politics, Law

Camila Batmanghelidjh, 45 KIDS'S COMPANY, FOUNDER Works tirelessly for the capital's children, helping thousands to avoid a life of crime, violence and drug abuse. Batmanghelidjh, an Iranian-born psychotherapist known as the "Angel of Peckham", has made huge personal sacrifices — twice remortgaging her flat — to keep Kids Company afloat. This year she won a last-minute battle to keep the south London-based charity going by securing a £12.7m grant from the Government.

Arpad Busson, 45 ARK, FOUNDER Chelsea-based philanthropist who is incredibly well-connected — Arki's other half is actress Uma Thurman. Financiers may be feeling the pinch but Busson still persuaded them to splash out more than £25m this year at ARK's annual dinner and auction. The charity supports causes ranging from Romanian orphanages to city academies in the UK. See also Social London, Education

Chris Hohn, 41, and Jamie Cooper-Hohn, 43 THE CHILDREN'S INVESTMENT FUND, FOUNDERS The reclusive hedge fund manager and his American wife have given vast sums to the TCI Fund Foundation — the charitable arm of the Children's Investment Fund. A former Baker Scholar at Harvard, Hohn's donations put him at the forefront of venture philanthropy. The charity, which Jamie runs, has over £700m focused on projects in Africa and India. See also Finance

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, 59 BISHOP OF ROCHESTER This ambitious and evangelical bishop may not be so popular with other members of the clergy but he makes headlines. Received death threats after saying parts of Britain had become no-go areas for non-Muslims, issued a rallying cry for the West to recover its "Christian nerve" and was blasted for snubbing July's Lambeth conference. Karachi-born Nazir-Ali became the youngest bishop in the Anglican communion when appointed in 1984. New Entry

Boris Johnson, 44LONDON MAYOR Johnson pledged to tackle teen violence as he battled to topple Ken Livingstone. Since becoming Mayor, he has made ridding London of knife crime his top priority. Put poverty at the heart of his Tory conference speech. Plans include funding community groups and sports schemes. See also Running London, Environment, Social London, Property, Politics

Reverend Nims Obunge, 43PEACE ALLIANCE, CEO The north London pastor and Government adviser on youth crime is the CEO of the Peace Alliance, a voluntary group tackling crime. He also chairs the Met's Operation Blunt Independent Advisory Group, which advises the police on how to reduce the number of youths carrying knives. New Entry

Frank Field, 66 BACKBENCH MP Poverty campaigner and MP who was a leader of the backbench rebellion against the abolition of the 10p tax band. A one-man think-tank, Field homes in on problems in the welfare system. He was minister of welfare reform for Tony Blair, but didn't last long after clashing with Harriet Harman. Influential with both Right and Left.

Stanley Fink, 51 PHILANTHROPIST This hedge fund grandee devotes much of his time to philanthropic work. Cambridge-educated Fink is a trustee of Arpad Busson's ARK Foundation and chairs the fund-raising committee for Evelina Children's Hospital at St Thomas'. A major Tory benefactor, he gave a substantial sum to Boris Johnson's mayoral campaign. See also Finance

Richard, 52, and Victoria Sharp, 48 PHILANTHROPISTS The Kensington couple this year launched London Music Masters, which nurtures musical talent in deprived parts of the capital and hands out scholarships to up-and-coming violinists. Richard is a former Goldman Sachs star who retired two years ago with a fortune of about £500m. New Entry

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, 54 MUSLIM COUNCIL OF BRITAIN, HEAD A Tower Hamlets-based special-needs teacher who calls himself a community spokesman rather than a religious leader, he holds sway with many — but not all — in the Muslim community. Dr Bari, who grew up on a farm in Bangladesh and trained as a pilot, believes the government and police have increased feelings of alienation amongst British Muslims. New Entry

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, 76 ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER The leader of Britain's four million Catholics since 2000, Murphy-O'Connor is now past the mandatory retirement age but the Pope has asked him to stay on. He is staunchly opposed to abortion and embryo research. Confessed on Desert Island Discs to making a mean Martini.

Peter Townsend, 80 ANTI-POVERTY CAMPAIGNER A professor at the London School of Economics who has spent a lifetime waging war on poverty and a social researcher and campaigner who has written on everything from pensions to the dangers of high-rise housing. He was brought up by a single mother and experienced poverty first hand. Married to Labour peer Jean Corston, he has attacked the Government for failing to make Britain more equal. New Entry

Andrew Haldenby, 36 REFORM, DIRECTOR Haldenby set up the independent centre-Right think tank with Nick Herbert in 2001 after running David Davis's first leadership campaign. Reform advocates free markets and small government and publishes research on the economy, healthcare and education. New Entry

Sarah Brown, 45 PIGGYBANKKIDS, FOUNDER The PM's wife set up Piggybankkids after losing her first baby Jennifer at 10 days old, funding charities such as the Jennifer Brown Research Fund, which researches problems of pregnancy and premature birth. Raised her profile with her Labour conference speech. See also Social London

Ann Rossiter, 42 SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION, DIRECTOR Runs the Left-wing think tank which argues for greater choice in public services. SMF carries a lot of weight with the Government — its argument that budgets for disadvantaged children need to be spent earlier in their lives led to the Sure Start programme and extra funding for nurseries. New Entry

Baroness Chapman, 46 DISABILITY RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER A regular speaker from her wheelchair in the House of Lords, the Lib-Dem is the first person with a congenital disability to be appointed a peer in modern times. Nicky Chapman condemned the Government's Mental Capacity Bill in her maiden speech, saying "if the Bill had been passed 43 years ago, I would not be here". New Entry

Sister Ellen Flynn, 55THE PASSAGE, DIRECTORRuns London's biggest voluntary day centre for the homeless. The Victoria-based centre has a budget of £3.5m a year and offers the 300 people who walk through its doors each day services ranging from health to housing and employment. Nairobi-born Flynn is a Daughter of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. She steps down as director of The Passage next year to become chairman of the board of trustees. New Entry

Ben Summerskill, 47 STONEWALL, CEO A former Evening Standard and Observer journalist, Summerskill took over at the gay rights group in 2003. He has trumpeted the diversity cause and was pivotal in campaigns to repeal Section 28 to be repealed and introduce civil partnerships. New Entry

Dr Indarjit Singh, 76 NETWORK OF SIKH ORGANISATIONS, FOUNDER Singh is a keen promoter of interfaith understanding and his advice has been sought by Prince Charles, the Anglican church and even the Met. He also edits the Sikh Messenger, is patron of the World Congress of Faiths and an advisor to the Commission for Racial Equality. A regular on Radio 4's Thought for the Day. New Entry

Tony Blair, 55 TONY BLAIR FAITH FOUNDATION Just hours after leaving office, Blair was given his Middle East brief but it is with his charitable foundation that his heart appears to lie. The Catholic convert hopes that the group will save religion from the twin threats of extremism and irrelevance. New Entry

Dr David Green, 57 CIVITAS, DIRECTOR An economist and former Labour councillor who founded the independent think-tank in 2000. Four years ago, it set up the New Model School Company to build a "no-frills" facility for children who did not get in to their chosen state school but whose parents could not afford a private education. The first school, Maple Walk, caters for families in Queen's Park and North Kensington.

Sir Elton John, 61 ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION He may hit the headlines for hosting A-listers at lavish parties, but his real legacy is his HIV/AIDS foundation. Established in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has programmes in 55 countries funding both prevention campaigns and HIV treatments. The musician has raised more than £62m.

Christopher Morgan, 81 SHANNON TRUST Morgan, a Sussex-based farmer, has made it his mission to improve literacy among prison inmates after becoming the penfriend of a lifer. The Shannon Trust helps with the 3Rs, enlisting better-educated prisoners to teach their less literate cellmates. His charity has won the support of former chief inspector of prisons Lord Ramsbotham, who is a trustee.

Lord Sainsbury, 67PHILANTHROPISTThe supermarket tycoon and Labour peer has declared he will give away £1bn in his lifetime. He founded the Gatsby Charitable Foundation four decades ago and became a fellow of the Royal Society in May this year. Resigned from ministerial office in 2006 but is one of Labour's top donors.

Trevor Phillips, 54 EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, CHAIRMANThe former New Labour politician and broadcaster was the first black president of the National Union of Students and bravely announced his watchdog will challenge the 42-day detention of terror suspects. Tipped as a possible Labour mayoral candidate of the future.

Dame Gail Ronson, 62 PHILANTHROPIST The well-connected wife of property mogul Gerald, she devotes a huge amount of time to charity and received a CBE in 2003 for her efforts. The couple are estimated to have already given away £40m. A ballet and opera lover, she is also a trustee of the Royal Opera House and involved with the charity Jewish Care.

Sandra Horley, 51 REFUGE, CEO In England and Wales, two women every week are killed by a partner or ex-partner. Horley, a social psychologist, has run Refuge for more than two decades. She has been key in bringing domestic violence to the public consciousness and debunking myths which surround the issue. Each year, around 63,000 women and children are admitted to one of her havens.

Jonathan Sacks, 60 CHIEF RABBI The leader of the Jewish community has described himself as the "acceptable face of fundamentalism". His novel The Home That We Build Together, published this year, set out the case against multiculturalism. Sacks has also reached out to the young by appearing on YouTube. He topped the Jewish Chronicle's list of Britain's most powerful Jews.

Rowan Williams, 58 ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY It has been a tough year for the head of the world's 78m Anglicans, but he is still regarded as one of the most intelligent men to lead the church. His remarks on sharia law had commentators frothing but the devoted family man and poetry-lover has won praise elsewhere for his liberal attitudes.

Rev Nicky Gumbel, 53ALPHA COURSE Tales of empty pews and forever-falling church attendance are not borne out in Gumbel's parish. He is the architect of the Alpha Course — the crash course in Christianity which attracts City types. After quitting the bar, Old Etonian Gumbel joined Holy Trinity Brompton in Knightsbridge and took over Alpha in 1990. More than two million people have now taken the 10-week course.

Uanu Seshmi, 48FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD FOUNDATION, FOUNDERSeshmi started the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation, in Peckham, to tackle gang culture among black and ethnic minority youths. Working with co-founder Decima Francis, their foundation has helped more than 11,000 young men turn their lives around. Calling The Shots, an anti-gun and knife initiative, received £200,000 from the Mayor in July. Both have been awarded MBEs.New Entry

Trevor Pears, 44 PEARS FOUNDATION, EXECUTIVE CHAIR The publicity-shy property tycoon is part of a new generation of philanthropists. His foundation invests more than £4m a year in charitable causes from Action Aid Congo to the Holocaust Educational Trust. He is also executive chairman of the AfriKids Foundation.

Marjorie Wallace, 64 SANE, FOUNDER AND CEO The gregarious countess is a tireless campaigner for one of the most neglected groups in society — the mentally ill. A former psychology student, she founded SANE in 1986 and remains one of the most influential voices in raising public awareness of mental illness.

Joe Saxton, 46 NFP SYNERGY, FOUNDER Saxton has been described as a "human ideas machine". NFP, the independent think-tank he runs, advises most of the UK's top charities on how to use public donations efficiently and prevent funds being squandered. Saxton's ambition is to reintroduce humanitarianism to British society, believing our reliance on non-government organisations to solve problems is disempowering individuals.

Prince Charles, 59 PRINCE'S TRUST, CHAIRMAN The Prince may be a figure of fun to some, but he has done much for the nation's least-privileged children. It was his idea to set up the Trust three decades ago and it now raises £1m every week. The Trust is also heavily involved in backing anti-knife initiatives in the capital. See also Environment, Social London

Rt Rev Richard Chartres, 61 BISHOP OF LONDONThe third in seniority in the Anglican church is its most vocal environmentalist, leading efforts to curb emissions. He warns flying is potentially a "symptom of sin" and last year pledged not to board a plane for 12 months to cut his carbon footprint after facing criticism for failing to live up to his own green standards.

Lord Winston, 68 SCIENTIST AND BBC PRESENTER The life peer may be best known for presenting science and health programmes on TV, but his groundbreaking work in gynaecology should not be forgotten. He is responsible for much of today's advanced research into IVF. He also founded Women For Women, a charity dedicated to diagnosing and preventing pregnancy complications. See also Health

Jill Kirby, 51 CENTRE FOR POLICY STUDIES, DIRECTOR On her watch the CPS has consistently challenged the Tory leadership, pushing for a small-government conservatism. Meanwhile, her 2006 report, the Nationalisation of Children, shamed the Government for undermining parents' role in their children's upbringing. Her opinions on the state of the family and children are eagerly sought.

John Bird, 61THE BIG ISSUE, FOUNDER He may have pulled out of the mayoral race, but Bird remains hugely important in the capital. Having lived on the streets and battled addiction himself, he launched the Big Issue in London in 1991 and it is now published everywhere from South Africa to Japan. Bird has also teamed up with his daughter to found the Wedge Card, which rewards consumers for choosing local independent shops.

Dame Helena Kennedy, 58 LAWYER AND CAMPAIGNER Described as "the nation's favourite Portia", Kennedy is a leading criminal and human rights barrister who made her name handling cases such as the Brighton Bombing Trial and the Guildford Four's appeal. In addition to the bar, she has set up her own foundation to help disadvantaged students get into higher education and is President of SOAS. She has also written and broadcast on law and women's rights.

Bob Geldof, 57 CAMPAIGNER Although these days it's his daughters who are making the headlines for their party-girl antics, Geldof still commands attention. The Live Aid founder has a hotline to Gordon Brown and repeatedly lobbied G8 leaders, urging them to write off $55bn in debt to the world's poorest countries.

Jamie Drummond, 37 ANTI-POVERTY CAMPAIGNER Drummond is executive director of One, which in 2007 merged with Debt Aids Trade Africa — which he set up six years ago with Bono and Bob Geldof to lobby on behalf of the global poor. In London Drummond makes policy and fights to ensure signatories to the Gleneagles agreement keep their promise to double aid to the poorest continent. New Entry

Katie Ivens, 67 CAMPAIGN FOR REAL EDUCATION, VICE-CHAIR Passionate campaigner who is now advising Mayor Boris Johnson. The education director of community charity Real Action on the Mozart estate in London, she backs the controversial SATs exams for primary-age children because she believes it helps to test them rigorously on reading, writing and arithmetic.

Shaun Bailey, 36 MY GENERATION, CO-FOUNDER A former youth worker and gymnast who founded My Generation to tackle youth crime and unemployment. The Tory candidate for Hammersmith grew up on a drug-riddled London council estate and proudly tells of the time he confronted the local dealer. A long way from the true-blue tweedy stereotype, fast-talking Bailey is being tipped for greater things.

UP AND COMING

David Gustave, 41 KIDS COMPANY Nicknamed "the British Obama", Gustave encourages troubled youths to leave behind a life of crime and enrol in university. He escaped the streets of South London to get an Oxford degree in his thirties and then turned down the chance to become a barrister to return to Peckham and help others. A political career may beckon. New Entry

Jemima Khan, 34 QUILLIAM FOUNDATION, PATRON She may be better known as a socialite but Khan is also a champion of the Muslim think-tank. Quilliam preaches religious tolerance and fights against extremism. She converted to Islam after marrying Pakistani politician and cricket hero Imran Khan. See also Social London

Rushanara Ali, 33YOUNG FOUNDATION, ASSOCIATE DIRECTORGeorge Galloway may have dismissed her as "just Oona King mark II" when she was announced as Labour's candidate for Bethnal Green and Bow but Ali seems distinctly unfazed by the criticism. After spells at both the Foreign and Home Offices, she joined the Young Foundation, which focuses on addressing unmet social needs. New Entry

Michael de Giorgio, 51 GREENHOUSE SCHOOLS PROJECT, CEO The sports-obsessed financial consultant from Malta quit the City to found Greenhouse, a charity aiming to transform the lives of inner-city teenagers by offering them specialist sports tuition. Many of the 11- to 16-year-olds who enrol in the project's summer camps are boys at risk of offending. New Entry

Sharon Doughty, 43 MISSDOROTHY.COM FOUNDATION, FOUNDER The former TV presenter gave up her small-screen career to set up the children's charity. As CEO she runs a personal safety programme in primary schools. The Missdorothy website gets 20,000 hits a day, has been praised by Nelson Mandela and was awarded £400,000 by the Mayor as part of the fight against knife crime. New Entry